Feds Schedule Hearings on Trump's Fuel Economy Plan

Federal agencies will take public input on the Trump administration's plan to relax fuel economy standards at three hearings later this month, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Trump's proposed SAFE (Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient) Vehicles rule, would roll back fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions standards for vehicles produced from the 2021 to 2026 model years. It would freeze Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards at 2020 levels for those model years. The EPA is also proposing to withdraw a waiver granted to California for the greenhouse gas and zero emissions vehicles sections of the regulations.

The Trump administration is making the argument that increasingly strict emissions standards is causing new vehicle prices to rise to an average of $35,000 or more that's out of reach for many American families, according to the announcement.

The hearings have been scheduled for Sept. 24 in Fresno, Calif.; Sept. 25 in Dearborn, Mich.; and Sept. 26 in Pittsburgh. The locations will be held at The Grand 1401, 1401 Fulton St., Fresno; The Dearborn Inn, 20301 Oakwood Blvd.; and The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Suites in Pittsburgh.

The hearings will be jointly hosted by NHTSA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. They will begin at 10 a.m. local time.

The agencies are also accepting written comments by Oct. 23. Comments should be identified by Docket ID No. NHTSA-2018-0067 or EPA-HQ-OAR-2018-0283.

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